Some people like it not to train biceps together with their back, because "when you get to workout the biceps, it is already tired from the back exercises". Sometimes, you have a hurt biceps and need it to rest, but still want to train your back.

Unfortunately, the obvious exercises for the trapezius and lats involve the biceps, like the various forms of rowing, pulldowns, pullups and chin-ups.

What exercises are there to train the traps and lats that do not involve the biceps ?

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Often lower back exercises don't utilize biceps at all like 45 degree lower back extensions or deadlifts
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chrisjleeFeb 11 '12 at 2:23

2

@chrisjlee - except for the fact that the poster specifically says traps and lats.
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JohnPSep 11 '12 at 22:52

@JohnP, Those are involved in deadlifts--particularly if you keep your shoulders back.
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Berin LoritschSep 12 '12 at 20:17

@Gabriel, some forms of rows can minimize biceps use if you get that mind-muscle connection working for you lats. You don't want the elbow going up past your torso anyway.
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Berin LoritschSep 12 '12 at 20:19

How does a twisting situp work your lats? The function of the lats are to adduct the upper arms. And how does a wide grip pulldown emphasize the triceps?
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JohnPJul 9 '14 at 19:27

You do understand where your lats attach, right? They don't just go straight down, but run at an oblique angle. Twisting sit-ups work really well on them. Similarly, wide grip pull downs are all lats and tris.
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Rory AlsopJul 9 '14 at 20:13

1

Your triceps serve to extend your arms (i.e. straighten), not bend. You'd only be working them during the eccentric phase. The lats originate along the spine and the top of the iliac crest, and insert on the humerus. Their sole function is movement of the arm and shoulder girdle. Saying that twisting situps work the lats is like saying that calf raises work the abdominals.
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JohnPJul 9 '14 at 21:43

-1 The title (used to) say "back" but the question is asking about traps and lats, i.e. not the lower back.
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Dave LiepmannSep 13 '12 at 15:01

-1 Just because the arm is straight doesn't mean the bicep isn't involved in maintaining grip and position of the arm. Thats why people get detached biceps from deadlifts.
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Lego StormtrooprJul 13 '14 at 22:00

For trap activation, mostly Trapezius III and IV (the "lower" traps) try lying face down on an incline bench and performing dumbbell or barbell raises with the arms straight. Lift the weights until your arms as completely in line with your upper body (arms will be straight over your head). You can also perform this on the Smith machine, using the arms as "hooks", keeping the completely straight and lifting the shoulders.